By Rosemary Ugiomoh
Nigeria’s buildup for the 2026 Unity Cup picked up pace on Saturday as 14 players checked into the Super Eagles camp in London ahead of their first training session.
The group is set to take part in an evening workout at 6pm today at Cray Valley FC on Middle Park Avenue. Head Coach Eric Chelle will use the session to start assessing both fitness levels and tactical fit as he prepares the squad for the invitational tournament.
Already in camp are forward Terem Moffi, goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, winger Philip Otele, and England-based attacker Femi Azeez. The rest of the early arrivals include Junior Ayobami, Al Ameen Tijani, Michael Atata, Adeoye Aderemi, Oputa Chibueze, Ighoke Obinna, Ocholi Elias, Oyedokun Tosin, Owen Oseni, and Nnadi Tochukwu.
For Chelle, the Unity Cup is another chance to look at up-and-coming players and add depth to the national team before future international games. Many of those invited are either earning their first senior call-up or trying to cement a place in the squad after strong seasons with their clubs.
Chelle appears focused on building a more competitive group that mixes experienced internationals with younger talents who can adapt to his system.
Among the notable names is Arthur Okonkwo, the Nigerian-eligible goalkeeper who’s been turning heads in England with his shot-stopping. Femi Azeez will also be under the spotlight after a productive campaign in England, while Owen Oseni’s call-up shows Chelle wants to broaden Nigeria’s attacking choices.
The presence of several lesser-known players points to an ongoing push to expand the talent pool and find players who can challenge for regular spots. The London camp also signals more attention being paid to home-based players, with some getting the nod after standout performances in local leagues.
The Unity Cup could give home-based players a platform to prove they’re ready for international duty and potentially break into future squads for competitive matches.
Today’s first session is expected to center on recovery work, tactical drills, and physical checks for the players who’ve just finished their club seasons. More players and officials are expected to join the camp in London over the next few hours as preparations ramp up.
Nigerian fans in the UK are expected to turn out in numbers for the Unity Cup. Beyond that, the tournament gives the Super Eagles a chance to build better team chemistry and sharpen their tactical approach ahead of upcoming fixtures.
